Atypical Characteristics of a Group of Children with Intussusception

Abstract

We describe the characteristics of a group of 140 children with intussusception. They differed strikingly from the classical picture of intussusception given in textbooks and in publications concerning large series. We found a low incidence of intussusception especially in infants and young children. There were far more children of older ages, the delay in diagnosis was significantly longer and there was a very high percentage of leading points. These factors explained our low hydrostatic reduction rate. The weight of most children was under the fiftieth percentile. The percentage of small bowel intussusceptions was somewhat higher. These differences are important in the light of early diagnosis and evaluating the results of treatment.

Rotavirus infection and intussusception in Tunisian children: implications for use of attenuated rotavirus vaccines

“…In the present study as in others [15][16][17][18][19][20], intussusception peaked at 3 to 12 months of age (Fig. 2).…”

Incidence of Intussusception as Studied from a Hospital-Based Retrospective Survey over a 10-Year Period (2001^|^ndash;2010) in Akita Prefecture, Japan

“…The incidence of intussusception in Japan was again shown to be 2-to 3-fold higher than those reported in the United States (18-56 per 100,000 live births) (13,14), and Australia (71 per 100,000 º1 year of age population) (15). The incidence in Japan is slightly higher than that in some European countries such as the United Kingdom (120 per 100,000 º1 year of age population) (21), the Netherlands (110 per 100,000 live births) (22), and Denmark (78-123 per 100,000 º1 year of age population) (23). Some countries have a higher incidence of intussusception, e.g., Vietnam (302 per 100,000 º1 year of age population) (15) and Israel (224 per 100,000 live births) (24).…”

Childhood intussusception: 17-year experience at a tertiary referral centre in Hong Kong

“…Many children with intussusception present with non-specific signs and symptoms, thus the diagnosis may easily be delayed or missed. 15 Therefore, as clinicians we must maintain a high index of suspicion in order to identify this emergency in a timely manner. Early referral of suspected cases to a tertiary treatment centre can significantly reduce morbidity in the child.…”

“…The classic triad of red currant jelly stool, abdominal pain, and abdominal mass is not often encountered, and the diagnosis may easily be delayed or missed. 15 Plain abdominal films are neither sensitive nor specific for intussusception and may be completely normal. 16 The most consistent finding is a paucity of gas in the right iliac fossa.…”